Dead Hearts Ch 15

"Mrs. Northman, there are only so many hours until dawn, and I'm sure Felipe would like to see us sometime before then."

"Pam, shut up! I'm coming out right now." Okay, adjust the boobs, check the lipstick, fluff the hair. I gave myself a thumbs up in the mirror before I left the bathroom.

Pam had taken to calling me by my married name, even though legally I was still Sookie Stackhouse. I found myself liking the sound of it more and more. I was nervous about taking his name, but if I thought about it, wouldn't I have taken a human husbands last name without a second thought? Deep down, I knew I was just concerned about what people thought. Well, screw 'em then. I knew the man I married loved me, and I loved him too, dammit.

Speaking of my husband, he looked amazing in a dark blue suit. I slipped on my heels and stood next to him. We, as always, were quite a pair. I had on the peachy-gold dress I got the other day when Pam and I were out. My only jewelry was a pair of small diamond studs in my ears and of course, my set of rings.

Bill had on his requisite brown suit, and Pam was proving to be quite the fashionista yet again. She wore a white dress with black lace around the waist and accenting the bottom hem. A black satin ribbon wrapped around her waist, and she had tied a matching ribbon in her hair.

"So, we all ready for this super-duper secret emergency meeting?" I asked. Pam raised an eyebrow at me and shook her head a little. Bill refused to look at me. Eric chuckled a little before speaking.

"Okay. Quick game plan. We have no idea what this is about. Play everything close to the chest in here. Take my lead, and Bill, if he asks you about the database, don't say anything you haven't told me, okay? All right, let's go."

We piled into the elevator and when we reached the right floor were immediately escorted into Felipe's office. We bowed and were seated at a large conference table.

Felipe wasted no time starting the meeting. "Am I correct in assuming that none of you know the reason for this meeting?"

"Yes, my king, you are correct." Eric answered for us. I heard why the king had wanted to speak to us, and I barely kept my cool. Eric sensed my excitement but didn't let it affect his façade other than a quick flick of his eyes in my direction.

"I have received confirmation that yesterday morning, pre-dawn, a certain bookstore in Shreveport burned down. More specifically, it was the bookstore that you informed me was base of operations for the Fellowship of the Sun." Eric's eyebrows raised slightly, and the King noted it. "Also, it appears that both Steve Newlin and his wife, Sarah, were trapped inside. I know not why they were in a bookstore at that time, but it has led to their demise."

Bill, Pam, and I all looked to Eric for his reaction. He was smiling broadly. "That is wonderful news, my king. Without their leader, the Fellowship is sure to fall apart."

Felipe nodded at him, returning the smile. "Now, Miss Stackhouse, you have been in direct contact with Newlin several times, if I have been informed correctly." I nodded. "Do you believe that this spells the end of the Fellowship of the Sun?"

"Your majesty, I do believe that. Newlin seemed to have been on the run since the destruction of his Dallas stronghold. Last time I saw him in person, he was trying to do the staking himself instead of ordering his lackeys to do it. More recently, when we caught the Fellowship spy in Fangtasia, through the man's thoughts I saw that Newlin seemed desperate to regain some power. He looked as if he was still on the run, dirty clothes, only meeting in very public places, scruffy hair. I think we may encounter some rogue patches of the Fellowship, but for the most part they are done for."

"That is an excellent assessment, Miss Stackhouse, which brings me to my next point. For this, however, I would like to speak to you and Mr, Northman alone. If you would please come with me." We all rose from the table in unison. Pam and Bill bowed to the King before nodding to Eric and leaving the room. Felipe led Eric and me through a set of double doors into a smaller, but still large, parlor-type room.

We sat around a large coffee table and Felipe motioned for drinks. I received white wine while the men, obviously, got glasses of blood. After I took a sip and nodded appreciatively at Felipe, he began talking.

"Miss Stackhouse, yesterday we spoke about possibly having a contractual agreement in order for you to assist me. Would you care to go over some details now, or should we wait for another day?"

It's all right, lover. I am here and I will handle it if you would like me to do so. Eric thought at me. This is the time to bring up our marriage, as he will no doubt ask why you would like me present.

"King Felipe, there is no time like the present. I would like Eric to help me negotiate, as well." Felipe raised an eyebrow.

"I had the understanding that you were not under the dominion of your local Sheriff."

"That is still correct, your highness. I do not fall under the Sheriff's jurisdiction. However, I do need to consult my husband if I am to be traveling out-of-state on a regular basis." Eric held my left hand, positioning our hands so they looked to be in a natural grasp, but showing the set of rings off. To his credit, Felipe was floored by this new development, but he face never showed a bit of surprise.

"Well, then let us toast to the good news. To Mr. and Mrs. Northman, may your life together be long and happy." We raised our glasses and Eric's platinum ring glinted in the light. "Now, back to the business at hand. We need to draft a new contract with your name changed, Mrs. Northman, but we can discuss all of the other specifics now."

"Of course, your majesty."

After a long, long, loooooong process of Eric and the King wheeling and dealing about my contract we were free to go, assured that the new version would be prepared by tomorrow evening. Surprisingly, Felipe upgraded our room to the honeymoon suite as a wedding present. A honeymoon suite in a vampire hotel... go figure. Well, it was Las Vegas.

We packed our things in our original room, told Pam and Bill where we were moved, and went up to our suite. My jaw dropped as Eric led me through a set of ornate double doors. This 'suite' was bigger than my whole house! I followed him into the bedroom and was struck speechless. The room was done in purple and gold and was beautifully decorated, but the bed was what commanded my attention. It was gigantic. I don't mean like king size or even California king. I mean that me, Pam, Eric, Bill, Alcide, Sam, and even Quinn could all stretch out on the mattress and still have room left over.

The thought sent me into a fit of giggles. I'm sure every person who I have ever been involved with would absolutely love to have a slumber party, ha ha. When Eric raised his eyebrows and asked what was so funny, I exploded into laughter. He just looked at me as if I was sprouting a second head and I thanked God that he couldn't read my mind.

"I... oh, Eric...it's... it's just... the bed..." I managed to gasp something resembling a sentence through my laughter. He looked at the bed, trying to figure out what was so funny about the luxurious spread. The blatant confusion on his face was slowly replaced by his trademark mischievous smile. I put my hands up in a stopping motion when I realized what he was going to do.

"No, Eric. You'll mess up my hair! Eric, ERIC! Stop it! No, no no no!" I squealed and bolted into the living room as he flung the pillows from the bed at me with vampiric speed. Thanks to my daily infusion I managed to avoid most of them. I kicked off my heels as I streaked around the monstrous sectional, still dodging the down-filled bombs.

I managed to swipe a pillow off the floor as I ran by, and I flung it as hard as I could towards the viking. It was a direct hit, smacking him right in the face. He stopped mid-stride and stared at me, open-mouthed. The shock on his face was beyond priceless and I couldn't help but egg him on.

"HAH! Bullseye, bee-yotch!" By this point I was laughing so hard I was bent over and could barely breathe. Eric laughed along with me, or at least he did until I reached the pillow I had been inching towards. I scored a second bullseye on the unsuspecting vampire and he was after me in a flash.

I squeaked when his muscular arms wrapped around my waist and threw me on the couch. Eric jumped on top of me and straddled my hips so I couldn't move. "Think that's funny, huh? I'll show you funny, Mrs. Northman." He poked my side and I jumped. "Real funny now, isn't it?" He continued to tickle me as I writhed and laughed underneath him, trying to free myself from the torture.

"Eric! Stop! Oh my God, not funny! Quit!" I grabbed his wrists and tried to get him to stop, but he just seized both of my small hands in one of his. Raising them above my head, he tickled me all over, from my armpits to my waist. Apparently, Eric had no intentions of releasing me, so I did the only thing I could think of to stop the tickling. He was leaning over my face, so I bent up and bit his neck.

His free hand stopped tickling me and he hissed in pleasure. I nipped again, licking the skin underneath his jaw. He let go of my hands and I automatically wound my fingers into his hair and pulled his lips to mine. His growing erection ground against my lower stomach as I writhed underneath him again, this time in pleasure.

I felt him untie my halter top and free my chest from the strapless bra I wore. I ran my tongue over his fangs and he growled in response as he pinched my nipple. I ran my hand over his back and yanked his shirt out of the dress pants he was still wearing. He arched into me and moaned as I scraped my fingernails across the newly exposed skin.

"Clothes. Off. Now." Eric complied with my order and stood up, loosening his tie as he went. I sat up and watched him strip for me. He eased the tie down and slowly pulled it from underneath his collar. He threw it around my neck and used it to pull me in for a searing kiss. I tried to reach for the buttons on his shirt, but he swatted my hand away.

"Oh, I don't think so. You stay." I pouted a little, but sat back to enjoy the show. Eric picked up a remote from the entertainment center and turned on the stereo. He flipped through a few stations before he settled on one. When he heard the first notes he smiled broadly and turned back to me. If he wasn't so drop dead gorgeous (ha ha) I would have groaned; the quintessential stripper song pounded out of the speakers.

Step inside, walk this way.
You and me babe, hey hey!

Slowly he pulled his shirt free of his pants, making sure to flash part of his stomach. He ran his fingers across the taut flesh before letting the shirt drop. The top button was undone, then the second. His hips pumped with the rhythm of the song and he licked his lips as the third button was unfastened.

Love is like a bomb, baby, c'mon get it on
Livin' like a lover with a radar phone
Lookin' like a tramp, like a video vamp
Demolition woman can I be your man?

Razzle 'n a dazzle 'n a flash a little light
Television lover, baby, go all night
Sometime, anytime, sugar me sweet
Little miss ah-innocent sugar me, yeah

Another button came free. And another. One more and the shirt hung open, revealing his chiseled body. Tantalizingly slow, Eric ran his fingers through his hair, down his neck and across his pecs, stopping to rub his nipples lightly. He closed his eyes, moaned softly and bit his lip. I felt my body jerk in response and I could almost feel my tongue following the same path.

Take a bottle, shake it up
Break the bubble, break it up

Pour some sugar on me
Ooh, in the name of love
Pour some sugar on me
C'mon fire it up
Pour your sugar on me
Oh, I can't get enough

I'm hot, sticky sweet
From my head to my feet

His hands continued over abs that would make Adonis weep and he unhooked his belt. He moved his hips in a circle, pulling the belt free in one smooth motion. He threw it aside and ran his hands back up his chest to pull off his shirt. He sauntered over and rubbed his naked chest across me. He bent his head down and grazed his fangs on my neck, moving down to suck a little on my still exposed breast. I tried again to touch him and he backed away, chuckling.

Listen! Red light, yellow light, green-a-light go!
Crazy little woman in a one man show
Mirror queen, mannequin, rhythm of love
Sweet dream, saccharine, loosen up

You gotta squeeze a little, squeeze a little
Tease a little more
Easy operator come a-knockin' on my door
Sometime, anytime, sugar me sweet
Little miss ah-innocent sugar me, yeah

Bucking his hips to the beat, he unhooked the button on his pants. He ran his thumbs underneath the waistband and lowered the zipper. Abandoning his pants for the moment, Eric ran his hands all over himself; his hair, his nipples, sucking on his little finger and growling in my direction. He turned his back towards me and whipped his pants off, presenting me with his best asset (ha ha) covered in a thin layer of black silk.

Give a little more
Take a bottle, shake it up
Break the bubble, break it up

Pour some sugar on me
Ooh, in the name of love
Pour some sugar on me
C'mon fire me up
Pour your sugar on me
Oh, I can't get enough
I'm hot, sticky sweet
From my head to my feet yeah

Spinning around, he inched his boxers down to just above his massive hard-on. He traced the v-lines leading to the 'gracious plenty' and smirked at me. Wrapping his hand around it, he stroked himself through the boxers. He never broke eye contact with me, but I saw all of his stomach muscles ripple in pleasure. I licked my lips and pulled my dress off. Just because he was taking his time didn't mean I had to. He smiled broadly and began to slowly come to me.

You got the peaches, I got the cream
Sweet to taste, saccharine
'Cos I'm hot, say what, sticky sweet
From my head, my head, to my feet
Do you take sugar? one lump or two?

Take a bottle, shake it up
Break the bubble, break it up

Eric eased himself out of the boxers and let them fall to the floor as he walked. By the time he made it to me, I was literally dripping wet. I flipped around and arched my back towards him. My knees were on the cushions and I braced myself against the back of the couch. He rubbed one finger across my soaking thong and I almost came. Before I could take my next breath, he had ripped the underwear from me and was pounding away.

I moved against him, matching him thrust for thrust. He wrapped one hand in my hair and pulled my head back while his other hand smacked my butt and held my hip. I groaned in pleasure as he pulled my hair; it hurt, but it felt so good. I pounded back against him so hard I could feel his balls smacking my clit with every plunge. I felt our bodies tensing as he leaned over me. His hand still tangled in my hair, Eric yanked my head to the right and sunk his fangs deep into my neck. Wave after wave of pleasure washed over me, inside me, and through the bond.

I felt him lick the wounds on my neck as he pulled out of me. He flopped down on the couch next to me and I curled into his side. After my breathing slowed back down to normal and the aftershocks stopped rumbling through me, I could barely find words for his striptease.

"Wow, Eric."

"Liked that, did you?"

"Yeah, that was... wow."

He chuckled and ran his fingers up my spine, giving me a little shiver. "Next time, it's your turn."